The city rivals are set to meet in the Premier League at Old Trafford on April 8 and, should both teams progress beyond the last eight, will contest an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium just six days later.

And the 24-year-old is eyeing a high-profile return to Roberto Mancini's squad ahead of those fixtures.

“I think the Newcastle match [on March 30] will come too soon for me, though I hope to have been training normally by then," he told reporters.

“Realistically, I’m looking more to the game away to United and then the FA Cup semi-final, maybe against United again, to be properly involved again - two relaxing games in a week on the horizon!

“I’ll be trying my best to get back into the squad. It will be great just to be back among the lads and getting a feel for everything again.”